The Rundown: Cubs Hammer Brewers to Overcome Slow Start from Hammel, Castro Takes Pitch in Sensitive Spot, Social Media Night Fun

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanSeptember 22, 2015

The game didn’t start too well for Jason Hammel and the Cubs. After allowing consecutive singles to open the game, Hammel struck out Adam Lind but then made an errant pickoff throw that sent Scooter Gennett home. Another strikeout had things looking better, but then a Domingo Santana single gave the Brewers a 2-0 lead. It was the last they’d hold all night.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Cubs scored 3 in the 2nd via hits from Starlin Castro and Dexter Fowler (who was originally called out at second base before the 2nd run had scored, but was called safe after review) and then tacked on another in the 4th on a bases-loaded walk from Addison Russell. Hammel gave up a home run to Lind in the 5th to tie the game, but it never felt in doubt.

The Cubs drew 6 walks and struck out only 4 times against Wily Peralta and three other Milwaukee relievers, but they did most of the damage with 13 hits. They were getting to Peralta early, absolutely squaring up even the balls that didn’t land safely. Kyle Schwarber was a victim of some bad luck, firing two atom balls that couldn’t find any green.

The 3-4-5 combo of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Starlin Castro carried the day with 8 hits between them (3, 3, 2, respectively), but it was Jorge Soler who came up with the team’s only home run when he came on as a pinch-hitter in the 7th. That’s his 2nd homer since returning from the DL, a very good sign when you consider that he had only 7 all season prior to that.

That’s not what we meant by “hitting dingers”

Peralta had walked 3 batters in the 2nd inning alone, so it was clear his command was less than great. After giving up hits to Bryant and Rizzo to open the 3rd, he really let one get loose. I’m not sure how unintentional it is when a fastball gets that far inside, but I’m pretty sure Starlin Castro was just happy it wasn’t a couple inches higher.

Taking a 95 mph heater off the inner thigh is probably not the most fun thing in the world, but at least Castro didn’t have to make the team’s favorite gesture — and impetus for the shirts the Cubs gave away before the game — a bit more literal.

#CubsSocial

In what has become a highly anticipated annual event, the Cubs celebrated Social Media Night Monday. Sorry I couldn’t make it, as it looked like a lot of fun. I must say, however, that the winning shirt design was not the one I voted for. I’ll stick to my Starlin Castro shush and WAR BEAR shirts, thank you.

Clothing preferences aside, stuff like this is just another example of how the Cubs are making the fans a part of the team. I think all fans want to feel as though they’re having an impact, even if it’s just psychological. Through their various interactions on Twitter, Facebook, and events like this, the Cubs have made those feelings that much more real.

https://twitter.com/ManuclearBomb/status/646146534694891520

Man, I wish I could have been there. Friday seems so far off.

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanSeptember 22, 2015
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